Game apparatus.



0.8GHUTZ. GAME APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 19, 1911.

1 ,020,3 1 5 Patented Mar. 12, 1912.

WITNESSES ATTORNEYS COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPM 00.. WASHINGTON, D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES SCHU'IZ, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

GAME APPARATUS.

To all, whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES SOIIUTZ, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of New York, borough of the Bronx, in the county and State of New York, have inventeda new and Improved Game Apparatus, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to game apparatus, my more particular purpose being to produee a convertible game board suitable for use either as a shuttle board or as an alley for bowling or similar games.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a perspective of the board complete and having for the time being the form of an alley for playing nine pins, or for bowling; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary central section through the rear end of the board, showing the extension and accompanying parts which temporarily fit the board for the purpose just stated; Fig. 3 is a substantially central vertical section through the rear end of the board, showing it as converted for use as a shuttle board; and Fig. 4 is a detail of a supporting leg provided with a cat head which is dovetailed into a cleat for temporarily support ing the extension, as indicated in Fig. 2, a part being in section on the line 44: of Fig. 2.

A frame 7, having generally the form of an elongated shallow box, is provided, and mounted centrally of this frame is a platform 8. This platform rests upon a bottom 9 which is common to it and to the frame 7. Between the ends of the platform 8 and the ends of the frame 7, are spaces 10, 11, constituting channels. The frame 7 is provided with supporting legs 12, 13, 14 arranged 1n pairs, as shown, and provided with arched portions 15 whereby they are strengthened. An end piece 16, having the same height as the frame 7, is adapted to engage the latter, and also to engage the bottom 9, as indicated in Fig. 3. Clamps 17, each of substantially U-shape, are fitted upon the end piece 16 and frame 7, and are secured in position by engaging pins 19 carried by the frame. These clamps 17 are slipped into position temporarily, as indicated in Fig. 3, for the purpose of holding the end pieces Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 19, 1911.

Patented Mar. 12, 1912.

Serial No. 639,326.

16 against the frame 7 and its bottom 9,

thereby constituting an end boundary for the device.

An extension 20 is provided for the bottom 9, and this extension is provided with side walls 21. upon hinge members 22, and secured to the same by aid of fastenings 23. Other hinge members 24 are secured directly upon the frame 7 by aid of screws 25, or equivalent fastel'iings, the hinge members 24 being provided with portions 26 bent slightly outward. These portions are pivotally connected to the hinge members 22 by aid of pivot pins 27.

Mounted upon the rear end of the frame 7 are brackets 28, and mounted back of these upon the extension 20 are other brackets 28. Side boards 29 are provided with cleats 30, 31, inclined rearwardly as shown, and adapted to fit into the brackets 28, 28. An end board 32 is provided with a cushion 33 and is adapted to reach across from one of the side boards 29 to the other. The end board 32 is provided with hooks 34: which engage the side boards when the parts are fitted together as indicated in Fig. 1.

Mounted upon the bottom of the extension 20 is a bracket 35, and slidably fitting into the same is a cat head 36, the latter being secured rigidly upon a supporting leg 37. A limiting stop 36 is mounted upon the cat head 36 for the purpose of preventing the same from moving too far into the bracket 35, as will be understood from Fig. 2.

As may be seen by contrasting Figs. 2 and 3, the rear end of the frame 7 may be changed in character and function. As indicated in Fig. 3, the end piece 16 fits tolerably close to the rear end of the platform 8, so that the groove 11 thus formed is comparable in its dimensions with the groove 10 at the front end of the board. In this event, the extension 20 hangs downwardly and the supporting leg 37 is removed altogether.

I/Vhile the apparatus is arranged as in Fig. 3, it may be used as a shuttle board. Suppose, however, it be desired to use the board as an alley for bowling or playing nine pins or ten pins. In this event the end piece 16 together with the clamps 17 are removed and the extension 20 swung upwardly until it registers with the bottom 9. The supporting leg 37 is now placed in position, the cat head 36 being brought into This extension 20 is mounted slidable relation to the bracket 35, as will be understood from Figs. 2 and i. The space between the cushion 83 and the rear end of the platform 8 is considerable and constitutes a suitable pit in which pins may be knocked. The side boards 29 efiectively prevent the pins, when struck, from flying off.

The operation of my device is as follows: The board, being arranged as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, may be employed for certain kinds of games, in the nature of bowling. WVhen, however, the board is converted, as indicated in Fig. 3, it may be employed for other games analogous to shufliing.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. The combination of a frame having generally the form of a box and provided with an open end, an extension detachably connected with said frame and adapted to be moved into and out of registry therewith, and means for closing said open end when said extension is not in use.

2. The combination of a frame having the form of a box and provided with an open end, an extension having side walls thereon pivotally connected to one end of the said frame and adapted to be moved into and out of registry therewith, an end piece for closing the said end when the eX- tension is not in use, together with clamps for holding the end piece secured in position.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES SCHUTZ.

Witnesses:

FREDERIorI WVM. STEINBUOH, JOHN ScI-IU'rz.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

